Cardinal Pietro Parolin calls for peace in the Holy Land, urges unity in Italy, and warns against turning liturgy into conflict.
Newsroom (27/03/2026 Gaudium Press ) In the quiet halls of the Vatican Apostolic Library, amid a day of studies honoring the Italian statesman Alcide De Gasperi, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin delivered a message whose resonance carried far beyond the walls of that historic institution.
Speaking to journalists, Parolin renewed a heartfelt appeal: “We must put an end to this folly that is war.” With Easter approaching, his words evoked both spiritual reflection and geopolitical urgency — a reminder that, while the Christian world prepares to celebrate the resurrection of Christ, many in the Holy Land face restrictions that threaten even the most sacred rites of the season.
The cardinal expressed his hope that, at the very least, ceremonies of Holy Week might proceed “within the holy places,” such as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. “Easter is the feast of peace — the peace of the Risen Lord — and thus it becomes a special occasion to renew the call to end this madness that is war,” Parolin said, framing his message within the theological core of the season: reconciliation and renewal.
Appeal for National Cooperation in Italy
Turning to domestic matters, Parolin offered reflections on Italy’s political climate, following the referendum on judicial reforms that recently drew an unexpectedly high voter turnout and a victory for the “No” camp. He acknowledged the difficulty for the Church to comment on national politics but commended the “great interest” and “significant participation” of Italian citizens in the democratic process.
Yet, what followed was a warning tempered with pastoral concern. “I believe that everyone was somewhat surprised by the percentage of voters,” Parolin observed, suggesting that “wisdom would be to make good use of this moment — each from their own perspective.” He called on political leaders to transform this engagement into “greater harmony and collaboration for the common good,” cautioning that “conflict does not serve the well-being of society or the country.”
In his view, the turbulent international situation makes internal unity even more necessary: “This is a particularly painful moment globally. It should encourage us to create synergy — each person offering their own contribution for the good of the country.”
Educating the Young: Restoring Moral Foundations
Addressing recent acts of youth violence in Italy, including the shocking stabbing of a teacher by a 13-year-old student in Bergamo, Parolin called for both preventive laws and a cultural reawakening. “Faced with such events, we need measures that can prevent them as much as possible,” he said, but emphasized that “it is fundamentally a question of values.”
He urged educators, families, and institutions to ask themselves what ethical and spiritual models they offer to young people. “It is an educational issue,” he stated, envisioning schools as “places where one learns to live together, to respect one another, and to be constructive.” His remarks framed moral education not as an institutional checkbox but as a cornerstone for rebuilding civic harmony.
The Ancient Mass and the Call to Unity
Finally, Parolin addressed questions concerning the celebration of the traditional Latin Mass, following a recent papal message — signed by him — to the French bishops. The letter expressed Pope Francis’s concern over a “painful wound” persisting in the Church regarding the liturgy.
Reaffirming the Vatican’s position, Parolin said, “The liturgy must not become a source of conflict or division among us.” He encouraged seeking formulas that reconcile legitimate demands with ecclesial unity: “It is possible,” he insisted, “to meet the faithful’s legitimate expectations without turning the liturgy into a battlefield.”
A Consistent Message of Concord
Across every topic — from global peace to political discord, from youth education to ecclesial debates — Cardinal Parolin’s message stood unwaveringly clear: true faith manifests in dialogue, cooperation, and peace. Whether confronting war abroad or polarization at home, he urged all—leaders, citizens, and believers—to transform controversy into shared purpose.
As Easter approaches, his words echo through the Vatican Library’s ancient corridors like an admonition for our times: peace is not only the goal of faith but its very test.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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